“Obviously we are disappointed because it is not normal for us to play three games and lose two of them, but we have to look forward, try to improve and carry on with our title challenge.

“We are the same team as last season – the same team that won 86 points in the league.

“We have plenty of good players in the dressing room and we have to look forward because as soon as we win two or three games in a row, things will change a lot.”

Meanwhile, sources at the club have claimed Liverpool are facing no time pressure to appoint a permanent chief executive to replace Rick Parry almost six months since his departure was announced.

Odgers Berndtson were tasked with finding a replacement in June with the breach temporarily being filled by recently-appointed manager director Christian Purslow.

But although the position remains vacant, it is believed American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are not concerned.

Liverpool are poised to sign Czech teenager Jakub Sokolik from Banik Ostrava, according to the defender’s agent.

Sokolik, who turns 16 tomorrow, has represented his country at under-16 level, and his representative Pavel Zika expects the move to go through shortly.

“It is a regular transfer on the basis of an agreement between two clubs,” said Zika. “During the next few days we should finalise the deal.”